DG Matrix Interport Solid-State Transformer: 400 kW Upgrade
DG Matrix has doubled the output of its Interport solid-state transformer platform from 200 kW to 400 kW while maintaining essentially the same power-module footprint. The platform uses silicon-carbide (SiC) devices supplied by STMicroelectronics.
1. Event Overview: Power-Density Breakthrough
1.1 Interport doubled from 200 kW to 400 kW
DG Matrix, a US solid-state transformer (SST) vendor, announced on 2026-09-25 that its Interport platform has lifted output power from 200 kW to 400 kW in essentially the same power-module footprint. The platform uses silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFETs supplied by STMicroelectronics. The company also disclosed efficiency above 98.5% and power density above comparable industry offerings. Three target applications are AI data centres, utility microgrids, and broader electrification.
1.2 Alignment with 800 VDC AI data-centre architectures
The engineering significance of the power doubling is tightly coupled with the global migration of AI data-centre power architectures toward 800 VDC bus. SemiAnalysis projects that 800 VDC architectures could underpin approximately 39 GW of new data-centre capacity by 2030, creating sustained and large-scale demand for SST technology. As AI training cluster rack power densities push past 100 kW and toward 600 kW to 1 MW ranges, traditional 50/60 Hz line-frequency transformer distribution chains are increasingly constrained on efficiency, power density, and dynamic-load response.
For a parallel real-grid validation of a 1 MW solid-state transformer, see our coverage of the NC State 1 MW solid-state transformer live feeder test.
1.3 Comparison with prior SST roadmaps
DG Matrix’s earlier 200 kW version had completed pilots with multiple hyperscale compute customers; the same-footprint upgrade to 400 kW means per-rack power density doubles, significantly reducing floor space, copper loss, and cooling burden inside AI data-centre halls.
2. Core Technology: STMicroelectronics SiC and System-Level Co-Design
2.1 Role of SiC devices
The Interport platform uses SiC MOSFETs from STMicroelectronics as the primary power switch. SiC devices, relative to conventional silicon IGBTs, deliver switching frequencies 5-10x higher, lower combined conduction and switching losses, and better high-temperature endurance. These properties let the SST preserve its high-frequency isolation advantage while still achieving 98.5%+ system efficiency.
2.2 Joint system-level development
DG Matrix’s collaboration with STMicroelectronics goes beyond device procurement and extends into co-definition of system-level requirements including voltage, current, and thermal performance. Key items include SiC surge-current capability to absorb the rapid load steps of AI training workloads, module-level thermal design and heat-path optimisation, and long-term reliability validation. DG Matrix emphasises that surge-current capability is critical for AI workloads: single GPU cluster state transitions can produce instantaneous current surges of several times the steady-state value within milliseconds.
2.3 Medium-voltage roadmap
For ongoing coverage of solid-state transformer milestones and related power-electronics developments, see our industry news coverage of solid-state transformer developments.
Beyond the 400 kW low-voltage version, DG Matrix is developing higher-voltage medium-voltage (MV) versions of the Interport platform, targeting hyperscale data centres, neocloud infrastructure, and other high-power electrification scenarios. MV versions would push SST functionality from the LV side of the distribution network toward the MV side, further replacing some functions traditionally handled by line-frequency transformers.
3. Industry Context: 800 VDC Architectures and the 39 GW Forecast
3.1 800 VDC becomes mainstream for AI data centres
AI training cluster single-rack power is breaking through 100 kW and moving toward 600 kW and 1 MW magnitudes. Under this trajectory, traditional 400 VAC plus line-frequency transformer UPS chains face triple constraints of copper loss, floor space, and efficiency. 800 VDC bus paired with SSTs can deliver power directly to GPU/TPU boards on the DC side, eliminating multiple AC-DC-AC conversion stages. 800 VDC together with ±400 V bus + vertical power delivery (VPD) and liquid cooling forms the new electrical backbone of next-generation AI data centres.
3.2 Engineering implications of SemiAnalysis 39 GW forecast
SemiAnalysis’s 39 GW forecast for 2030 means structural demand-level jumps for SST and SiC/GaN power devices, gradual share decline for line-frequency distribution transformers in AI data-centre greenfield builds, and continued necessity of line-frequency transformers on the MV step-up side, offshore platform step-up, and grid-connection side.
3.3 Synergy with Bloom 800 VDC and NC State 1 MW SST
Recent Transformer Magazine coverage of Bloom’s 800 VDC fuel-cell-direct architecture and the NC State + NYPA + EPRI 1 MW SST 98% real-grid test (Post 768) forms a coherent technology convergence. Three independent tracks, fuel-cell plus DC architecture, university plus utility-operator validation, and SiC-platform commercial SST, together push SST from pilots toward mass production.
For an industry perspective on conductor selection criteria relevant to transformer winding design and SST high-frequency isolation, see the industry perspective on enameled wire selection for transformer applications.
4. Industry Implications and Supply-Chain Impact
4.1 Semiconductor–system vendor collaboration model
DG Matrix and STMicroelectronics demonstrate a tight collaboration model between power-semiconductor vendors and system integrators. Semiconductor vendors provide device selection, thermal models, and reliability data; system vendors contribute application scenarios, load profiles, and long-term roadmaps; together they co-define next-generation SiC device specifications. This model, compared with traditional system-vendor-procures-generic-device, can significantly shorten SST product iteration cycles.
4.2 Transmission to line-frequency transformer supply chain
Rising SST penetration in AI data centres will not completely displace line-frequency transformers, but will reshape demand mix. MV step-up side demand stays intact (grid connection, offshore platforms); in-cabinet/bus-side line-frequency transformer demand shrinks; distribution-side line-frequency transformers are only modestly affected by AI data centres but increasingly driven by microgrids, storage, and electrification.
4.3 Impact on enameled/winding wire demand mix
Although SSTs feature high power density, the high-frequency isolation transformer inside still requires high-frequency low-loss enameled copper wire such as Litz wire or rectangular enameled wire. SiC high-frequency switching imposes stricter requirements on winding-wire skin effect, proximity effect, and dielectric loss. This in turn reinforces the irreplaceability of high-end enameled copper wire within the SST supply chain.
5. Comparison with Recent SST Coverage
| Coverage | Date | Power class | Efficiency | Application | Key partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DG Matrix Interport 400 kW (this article) | 2026-09-25 | 400 kW (LV) | > 98.5% | AI data centre, microgrid | STMicroelectronics (SiC) |
| NC State 1 MW SST (Post 768) | 2026-09-23 | 1 MW | 98% | Real grid feeder | NC State + NYPA + EPRI |
| Bloom 800 VDC architecture | 2026-09-21 | — | — | Fuel cell + DC | Bloom Energy |
| DOE hybrid SST concept prize (Post 741) | 2026-09-12 | — | — | Distribution feeder | DOE urban runner-up |
Source: Transformer Magazine English edition September coverage.
6. Solid-State Transformer Industry Outlook
6.1 SST mass-production inflection approaching
The DG Matrix 400 kW same-footprint upgrade, the NC State 1 MW real-grid test, and Bloom 800 VDC fuel-cell direct supply all advanced within September 2026. Three independent SST tracks progressing in the same month marks the transition from laboratory prototype through pilot validation toward mass-production readiness.
6.2 Critical infrastructure inventory for 39 GW by 2030
Under SemiAnalysis’s 39 GW forecast, assuming SST average power density of 5-10 MW per electrical room, the implied installed base is roughly 3,900 to 7,800 SST systems. Assuming unit price-pointing of USD 100-300 per kW, the addressable market is approximately USD 3.9 billion to 11.7 billion. SiC devices, isolation transformers, and control ICs all carry structural opportunity.
6.3 Forward watch points
Four tracks worth tracking. When DG Matrix’s MV medium-voltage version enters commercial pilot. When the NC State 1 MW SST moves into multi-unit parallel and cluster-level tests. Whether Bloom 800 VDC fuel-cell systems secure hyperscale cloud-vendor orders. And how soon the DOE hybrid SST concept transitions from award through pilot to engineering prototype.
7. Closing
The DG Matrix Interport 400 kW upgrade is a snapshot of the broader SST supply-chain surge of September 2026. It captures both the engineering dividend of SiC power devices plus system-level co-design and the urgent need of AI data-centre 800 VDC architectures for next-generation distribution equipment. Against the 39 GW 2030 forecast, SST, line-frequency transformer, and high-end enameled copper wire will reach a new supply-demand balance: line-frequency transformers will not disappear but will be redefined in role; the irreplaceability of high-end enameled copper wire in high-frequency isolation may well become the most under-appreciated niche in the solid-state transformer supply chain.